THE BEAUTIFUL PART OF WRITING IS
THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME,
UNLIKE, SAY, A BRAIN SURGEON.
(Robert Cormier)
This quote makes me think of that game "Operation" - the one where you perform surgery, removing the "funny bone" and the "bread basket," and if you do it wrong, the game buzzes and the poor patient's nose lights up. (I don't remember if I was any good at it, but I do remember loving it.)
Can you imagine if every time we used the wrong word, our laptop beeped? Or if our character did something boring or our plot fell apart, our pen shrieked? Actually, now that I think about it, some of that might be helpful. Of course, then I'd need noise canceling headphones because I'd never hear quiet again.
But really, just like in "Operation," we writers can start over. We can pick another card, play another round. We can take a break, then try again when we're feeling fresher and perhaps steadier of hand. And we can always take out the batteries and just practice, just play, in peace and quiet until we're ready to try our hand for real.
What do you think are some of the other "beautiful parts" of writing? And would you be up for a beeping laptop or a shrieking pen?
But really, just like in "Operation," we writers can start over. We can pick another card, play another round. We can take a break, then try again when we're feeling fresher and perhaps steadier of hand. And we can always take out the batteries and just practice, just play, in peace and quiet until we're ready to try our hand for real.
What do you think are some of the other "beautiful parts" of writing? And would you be up for a beeping laptop or a shrieking pen?
That laptop would get muted fast.
ReplyDeleteWriting doesn't usually come with a deadline, either. We can take our time.
Alex - I think there was a pen/quill in one of the Harry Potter books that did something funky... :)
ReplyDeleteIf I got my writing right the first time, I'd have nothing to do for the next three years!!
ReplyDeleteA beeping pen would drive me insane, because it would definitely be beeping all the time!
Annalisa - I need a pen or a keyboard that tells me when I've gone from descriptive into purple prose. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you... if I had a beeping laptop or a shrieking pen, I'd need noise cancelling headphones. And so would my neighbors.
ReplyDeleteBut I loved playing Operation as a kid. I'd occasionally hit the sides intentionally. Because I was/am a brat like that.
MJ - I didn't even think about the neighbors - yikes! Although, it could be considered payback for all the door slamming and loud, one sided cell phone conversations I get to listen to on occasion. :)
ReplyDeleteHehe. I love this comparison! I would only want a beeping laptop if I could turn it off most of the time, which probably defeats the purpose.
ReplyDeleteJillian - yeah, that would defeat the purpose. You know, after writing this post, I want to go find that game - do they even still make it?! - and play. :)
ReplyDeleteI think I'd get a migraine if I had a writing program that did that! My internal alarm bells are clanging enough, if I spot a glaring error. They still make the game, Madeline - our kids have got a new version of it. :)
ReplyDeleteNick - hmm, I might have to check out that new version! Thanks for letting me know - although I'm not sure my husband and the tortoises will be as excited. :)
ReplyDeletei can barely stand spellcheck underlining my horrid grammar! my computer beeps at me enough =)
ReplyDeletebut i would mind a remote shocker to buzz people anonymously for being rude (altho i'd get buzzed a bunch myself, ha ha)
and we have the simpsons version of operation, doh!
Tara - how about a buzzer for people who undermine our confidence in our writing? Or who exude negativity? And, wait until I tell my husband there's a Simpson's version of Operation... :)
ReplyDelete